Garrett Smith Takes Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Point Lead with Rockcastle Victory

(May 9, 2025) The Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco visited Rockcastle Speedway for the first time on Friday night and Garrett Smith, of Eatonton, Georgia, emerged victorious in the entertaining contest to nab his third career series win! Garrett started off the evening by setting a New Track Record during the FK Rod Ends qualifying session, which locked him into the outside of the front row for the start of the 40-lap ‘Finn Watson Memorial.’ In front of a large grandstand crowd, Garrett grabbed the point at the drop of the green flag and led the talented field for the first fifteen circuits around the Mount Vernon, Kentucky oval. (Tyler Carr Photo)

Third-starting Sam Seawright then turned up the wick and overtook Smith with a massive slidejob on lap sixteen and the Fort Payne, Alabama driver found himself out front through lap thirty. Smith then returned the favor with a slider of his own to retake the lead on lap thirty-one and never looked back en route to capturing the $7,553 payday. Seawright’s strong night unfortunately ended in disappointment, as his #16 machine slammed hard into the turn three wall on lap thirty-three.

Cory Hedgecock, of Loudon, Tennessee, improved four positions to finish a strong runner-up at the checkered flag - 1.551 seconds behind Smith. Polesitter Jimmy Owens was hampered by a hard tire selection, but came on late in the distance to round out the podium in third. Luke Morey picked off a handful of competitors to finish in the fourth spot, while Ricky Weiss hard-charged past ten cars to claim the final position inside of the top five.

“That was a pretty bad ass racetrack right there,” exclaimed the winning Smith in Schaeffer’s Oil Victory Lane. “You can’t ask for much more than that. Sam (Seawright) got a good run on me down the backstretch and was able to slide me to get the lead. He actually moved up the racetrack and kinda showed me that you could run up there because when I was out front, I was just trying to save my tires. I would hit those bumps and get tight across them. On that late restart, I just kinda said screw it and I was going to go for the win. I can’t thank everyone that supports this team enough and we’ll get ready for Lake Cumberland tomorrow night!”

Garrett Smith piloted a Garrett Smith Performance Longhorn Chassis powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine with sponsorship in part from Terminal Maintenance & Construction, Atlanta Paving & Concrete, Cadillac Ranch, G Spot Inc., VP Racing Fuels, Boswell Oil Company, JM Custom Laser, Go Lithium Batteries, Slicker Graphics, Bilstein Shocks, DirtCarLift, and Schaeffer’s Oil.

A field of 22 Super Late Model competitors piled into the pit area for the Spring Nationals debut at Rockcastle Speedway. On a track that was aggressive from overnight rain, Jason Jameson went fastest in MRP Fantasy League Hot Laps with his quick time of 14.554 seconds, while Garrett Smith set a New Track Record in FK Rod Ends qualifying with his fast lap of 14.631 seconds. The top six qualifiers in each group were automatically locked into the ‘Finn Watson Memorial’ and Justin Rattliff secured the victory in the lone Coltman Farms Racing B-Main.

Four caution flags slowed the pace including one that turned into a red flag situation. A pileup on lap 2 that was triggered by a Camaron Marlar spin brought out the first yellow, while the second caution took place on lap 9 when Dillard Hatchett slowed on the backstretch. Josh Rice got the worst end of a tangle on lap 28 that left his nose lodged in the turn three guardrail. It took safety, series, and track personnel twenty minutes to remove the nosepiece and return to racing action. The final yellow then took place on lap 33 when Sam Seawright hit the turn three wall hard and retired from the contest.

Competitors racing with the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco have only about an hour drive to round eight of the miniseries, which will take place on Saturday, May 10 at Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, Kentucky. The annual running of the ‘Johnny Wheeler Memorial’ will boast a $10,053 first place prize. Garrett Smith now leads both the overall Spring Nationals points and the Coltman Farms Cup points over Wil Herrington and Cory Hedgecock heading into LCS.

On Saturday at Lake Cumberland Speedway, grandstand admission will be $30.00 for adults and FREE for kids ages 10 and under. Pit admission will be $45.00 for adults, $20.00 for kids ages 6-10, and FREE for young children ages 5 and under. The pit gates and the grandstands will both open at 2:00pm. The Drivers Meeting will be held at 6:30pm before Hot Laps light up the racetrack at 7:00pm.

Along with the Super Late Models headlining the ‘Johnny Wheeler Memorial,’ other classes in action include the Pro Late Models ($1,200 to win), Open Wheel Modifieds ($1,200 to win), Crown Vics ($400 to win), FWD Ministocks ($400 to win), and Hobby Stocks ($400 to win). Lake Cumberland Speedway is located at 360 Racetrack Road in Burnside, Kentucky. The track phone number is 606-341-1228 or you can learn more by accessing www.LCSpeedway.net.

Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing
Round 7 Race Summary
Friday, May 9, 2025
Rockcastle Speedway - Mount Vernon, Kentucky

Schaeffer’s Oil Feature Finish (40 Laps):
1. (2) Garrett Smith $7,553
2. (6) Cory Hedgecock $3,500
3. (1) Jimmy Owens $2,000
4. (9) Luke Morey $1,500
5. (15) Ricky Weiss $1,200
6. (14) Carson Brown $900
7. (8) Haiden Cowan $700
8. (17) Brandon Hardgrove $650
9. (19) Jeff Watson $600
10. (3) Sam Seawright $575
11. (16) Wil Herrington $550
12. (11) Josh Rice $540
13. (4) Jason Jameson $530
14. (21) Josh Vinyard $520
15. (12) Josh Henry $510
16. (20) Shane Bailey $500
17. (7) Camaron Marlar $500
18. (5) Michael Chilton $500
19. (10) Dillard Hatchett $500
20. (13) Justin Rattliff $500
21. (18) Justin Smith $500
DNS. (22) Cyle Forgy

Entries: 22
Lap Leaders: Garrett Smith (Laps 1-15), Sam Seawright (Laps 16-30), Garrett Smith (Laps 31-40)
DirtCarLift.com Cautions: 4

MRP Fantasy League Hot Laps:
Fast Time Overall: Jason Jameson 14.554

FK Rod Ends Time Trials:
Fast Time Overall: Garrett Smith 14.631 - NEW TRACK RECORD

Qualifying - Group A (Top Six Locked Into 40-Lap Feature): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens, 00:14.660[11]; 2. 16S-Sam Seawright, 00:14.681[4]; 3. 6-Michael Chilton, 00:14.695[5]; 4. 57-Camaron Marlar, 00:14.698[2]; 5. 49-Luke Morey, 00:14.811[9]; 6. 11R-Josh Rice, 00:14.840[8]; 7. 16-Justin Rattliff, 00:14.880[3]; 8. 7W-Ricky Weiss, 00:15.074[6]; 9. 15K-Wil Herrington, 00:15.079[10]; 10. 7-Justin Smith, 00:15.101[7]; 11. 1-Shane Bailey, 00:15.547[1]

Qualifying - Group B (Top Six Locked Into 40-Lap Feature): 1. 10-Garrett Smith, 00:14.631[4]; 2. 12-Jason Jameson, 00:14.718[10]; 3. 23V-Cory Hedgecock, 00:14.799[8]; 4. 14-Haiden Cowan, 00:14.819[7]; 5. 59-Dillard Hatchett, 00:15.060[9]; 6. B00-Josh Henry, 00:15.071[6]; 7. 28-Carson Brown, 00:15.107[2]; 8. H22-Brandon Hardgrove, 00:15.132[1]; 9. 11-Jeff Watson, 00:15.596[5]; 10. 96-Josh Vinyard, 00:15.840[11]; 11. (DNS) 47-Cyle Forgy

Coltman Farms Racing B-Main Finish: 1. 16-Justin Rattliff[1]; 2. 28-Carson Brown[2]; 3. 7W-Ricky Weiss[3]; 4. 15K-Wil Herrington[5]; 5. H22-Brandon Hardgrove[4]; 6. 7-Justin Smith[7]; 7. 11-Jeff Watson[6]; 8. 1-Shane Bailey[9]; 9. 96-Josh Vinyard[8]; 10. (DNS) 47-Cyle Forgy

Current Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series Point Standings:
1. Garrett Smith - 1290
2. Wil Herrington - 1284
3. Cory Hedgecock - 1078
4. Michael Leach - 870
5. Cody Overton - 754
6. Jimmy Owens - 736
7. Sam Seawright - 708
8. Mike Benedum - 694
9. Brandon Overton - 582
10. Ethan Dotson - 578

Current Coltman Farms Cup Point Standings:
1. Garrett Smith - 732
2. Wil Herrington - 728
3. Cory Hedgecock - 722
4. Michael Leach - 698
5. Brandon Overton - 582
6. Jimmy Owens - 542
7. Mike Benedum - 514
8. Tyler Erb - 471
9. Cody Overton - 394
10. Ethan Dotson - 386

2025 Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series Schedule:
Friday, February 28 - Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) - CHRIS MADDEN
Saturday, March 1 - Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) - CODY OVERTON
Friday, March 28 - Buckshot Speedway (Clanton, AL) - GARRETT SMITH
Saturday, March 29 - East AL Motor Speedway (Phenix City, AL) - BRANDON OVERTON
Friday, April 18 - I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) - RICKY WEISS
Saturday, April 19 - Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) - TYLER ERB
Friday, April 25 - Beckley Motor Speedway (Mount Hope, WV) - PPD TO 10/9
Saturday, April 26 - Beckley Motor Speedway (Mount Hope, WV) - PPD TO 10/10
Friday, May 2 - Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) - PPD TO 5/23
Saturday, May 3 - Dixie Speedway (Woodstock, GA) - PPD TO 10/11
Friday, May 9 - Rockcastle Speedway (Mount Vernon, KY) - GARRETT SMITH
Saturday, May 10 - Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) - $10,053 to win
Friday, May 23 - Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) - $7,553 to win
Saturday, May 24 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - $10,053 to win
Sunday, May 25 - Duck River Raceway Park (Wheel, TN) - $10,053 to win
Thursday, October 9 - Beckley Motor Speedway (Mount Hope, WV) - $4,053 to win*
Friday, October 10 - Beckley Motor Speedway (Mount Hope, WV) - $15,053 to win*
Saturday, October 11 - Dixie Speedway (Woodstock, GA) - $TBA to win*
* Non-Points Race

For more information on the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco, please point your Internet browser to www.SouthernNationalsSeries.com or feel free to call/text series promoter Ray Cook at 828-360-5353. You can also follow us across social media platforms on facebook.com/southernnationalsseries and on Twitter @sonationals.

The tour would like to thank all of our valued marketing partners including: Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants, Coltman Farms Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, American Race Tires, American Racer South, Delph Communications, E-Z-GO, Spring Pro Precision Equipment, Arizona Sport Shirts, Capital Race Cars, Collins Signs, DirtCarLift.com, DirtonDirt.com, FK Rod Ends, Interstate Welding & Steel Supply, JM Custom Laser, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, MasterSbilt Race Cars, MyRacePass Fantasy Racing, SFP Performance Systems, The Joie of Seating, The Steering Buddy, Velocita-USA, Vic Hill Racing Engines, Vidalia Powersports, Vinson Sims Construction, and Wiles Driveshafts.

About Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants:
Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants: synthetic motor oils, hydraulic fluids, and diesel fuel additives have achieved a world-class reputation for improving engine performance and fuel economy, but their diverse product line includes all types of industrial lubricants, industrial greases, and industrial oils as well as specialty items like their chain lubes and degreasers. Founded in 1839, their philosophy is to provide advanced lubricants for improved performance, reliability, and fuel economy. Learn more or find a rep near you at www.SchaefferOil.com.

Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.DelphCommunications.com

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